Canadian Labour Reporter

April 16, 2018

Canadian Labour Reporter is the trusted source of information for labour relations professionals. Published weekly, it features news, details on collective agreements and arbitration summaries to help you stay on top of the changing landscape.

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2 Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2018 Workers reject D-J Composites' latest off er GANDER, N.L. — Aerospace workers in Gander, N.L., voted 97 per cent against the latest con- tract offer from D-J Composites on April 9, the American-based employer that locked them out of work 16 months ago. "As workers, we have made it clear from the beginning that we are not prepared to turn over control of our wages to the em- ployer through a proposed pay system that creates wage un- certainty, and opens the door to potential wage cuts on an annual basis," said Iggy Oram, Unifor, Local 597 unit chair. "In addition, the company had made clear they intend to lay off up to a third of the workforce, but has refused to identify who would be laid off. It is ridiculous to ex- pect a worker to cast a ballot not knowing if you will have employ- ment under the company's offer." The employer's last offer comes after the Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Relations Board found the company twice guilty of breaking provincial la- bour law, first in May 2017 and again in March of this year, said the union. Based on the company's latest proposal, members would not know if they would be returning to work; and if they did return to work, there is no guarantee of what job they would have; and if they had a job to return to, their wages could be reduced a year after they return, according to Unifor. Port Arthur Health Centre workers strike THUNDER BAY, Ont. — At midnight on April 9, workers at the Port Arthur Health Centre — represented by Unifor, Local 229 — set up picket lines and went on strike. "The frustrating thing about bargaining talks with this un- reasonable employer is that the employer is not arguing that they do not have the ability to pay, but rather that it's seeking to fill the coffers," said Kari Jefford, presi- dent of Unifor, Local 229. The local represents 65 work- ers at the centre, working as ap- pointment secretaries, medical aides and in medical records. The collective agreement ex- pired on Dec. 31, 2017. No prog- ress has been made on key issues of precarious work contracts or insufficient compensation for work, said the union . Unionized Tim Hortons employees get fi rst contract SEPT-ÎLES, Que. — After three years of trying, unionized employees at four Tim Hortons outlets in the community of Sept-Îles, Que., are set to obtain their first collective agreement. "A long saga is ending and we're looking forward to a new relationship between employ- ees and the employer that will be based on respect, equity and ap- propriate treatment," said Gilles Ayotte, United Steelworkers (USW) representative. An arbitrator appointed by the Quebec government will hold a final round of hearings next week with management and workers' representatives. The arbitrator will then im- pose a first collective agreement, within 90 days, said the union. The hearings will be held April 9 to 11, said the union. LABOUR BRIEFS FORMERLY CLV REPORTS Serving labour relations professionals since 1956 www.labour-reporter.com Published weekly by omson Reuters Canada Ltd. Subscription rate: $610 per year Customer Service Tel: (416) 609-3800 (Toronto) (800) 387-5164 (outside Toronto) Fax: (416) 298-5106 Email: customersupport.legaltaxcanada@tr.com Website: www.thomsonreuters.ca Director, Media Solutions, Canada Karen Lorimer Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Todd Humber Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson | (416) 649-7896 sarah.dobson@thomsonreuters.com News Editor John Dujay | (416) 298-5129 john.dujay@thomsonreuters.com Sales Manager Paul Burton | (416) 649-9928 paul.burton@thomsonreuters.com Marketing Co-ordinator Keith Fulford | (416) 649-9585 keith.fulford@thomsonreuters.com © 2018 omson Reuters Canada Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher. e publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional advice. If legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. e analysis contained herein represents the opinion of the authors and should in no way be construed as being either offi cial or unoffi cial policy of any governmental body. ISSN 0045-5113 Publications Registration 2089 Canadian Labour Reporter is part of the Canadian HR Reporter group of publications. Visit www.hrreporter.com for more information. Labour Reporter Canadian www.labour-reporter.com Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach (Reuters) LABOUR LENS Members of German public sector workers union Verdi stage a strike at the airport in demand for higher wages in Frankfurt on April 10. Signs read: "Today a warning strike" and "We are worth it."

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